Nobody likes throwing money away, but you may be doing just that by living in your home and not having the proper loft insulation.
The cost of living has made energy bills soar and with the temperature declining through the winter months, finding ways to reduce these costs has been at the top of most people’s minds.
Poorly insulated houses could result in an average of £250 being wasted annually on energy bills according to the Local Government Association (LGA), and we think that money could be better spent on things you enjoy.
We have pulled together our ultimate guide to home insulation, covering the various types of insulation your home could benefit from, expert insultation tips and insights into need-to-know regulations and incentives to make your home (and bills) more efficient.
Contents
- Insulation Regulations and Incentives
- Understanding Home Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Wall Insulation
- Under Floor Insulation
Insulation Regulations and Incentives
Before you embark on any kind of home improvement project, is important to consider the laws surrounding it.
Section 6 states that every building has to be designed and built with an insulation envelope to reduce heat loss, however the minimum and maximum U-values are different depending on if it’s a new or existing building.
What is Section 6?
Section 6 typically outlines the minimum requirements for thermal insulation to ensure energy efficiency and comfort.
It covers the needed insulation levels for different parts of the house, the types of materials that can be used, and how they should be installed to meet local building codes and climate-specific needs.
What is a U-value?
A U-value refers to thermal transmittance which is the rate of transfer of heat, divided by the difference in temperate across the building and is measured in W/m2K.
The lower the number, the better insulated the building is.
The cost of a home change can also be daunting, however, there are Scottish government schemes and funding, such as ECO4, that you may be eligible for that can help with the overall cost.
For more information on the kind of support available, please click here.
Understanding Home Insulation
Home insulation is the unsung hero of the energy efficient housing world and should not be overlooked.
Insulation provides a protective layer around your property and prevents any excess heat escaping and unwanted drafts occurring so you can enjoy a warmer home in the winter and a cooler home during the summer months (or week…we live in Scotland after all).
When most people think of insulation, they will picture an attic or roof space having insulation installed however, there are several other areas of the home that could benefit from being insulated.
We have broken these down for you below:
Most new build homes have loft insulation as standard to prevent heat escaping through the roof (heat rises after all), and as discussed above, is a legal requirement.
However, another common insulation installation area is for ‘room-in-roof’ conversions.
When insulating a loft or an attic conversion, the thermal material is laid between the joists of both the floor and the ceiling to create a barrier between the inside of your home and the climate of the outdoor world.
Generally, under floor insulation is for ground floor buildings, however areas such as rooms above a garage could also benefit from this process.
Insulation material is placed between the floor joists from underneath unless you own a newer home that has a solid floor.
In this case, insulation can only be installed when the floor is being replaced or if it is part of adding a new layer or solid insulation on the top.
Wall Insulation
Wall insulation can be further broken down into three different types:
- Internal
- External
- Cavity
Internal wall insulation is used when a property has solid walls, such as ones made of sandstone, and is normally a cheaper alternative to external wall insulation.
This is normally tackled on a room-by-room basis to minimize the impact on your day-to-day home life.
External wall insulation can also be used on solid wall properties but has a more decorative finish as it is installed to the outside of the home.
The installation is less disruptive and increases your structure’s lifespan as the material also has weatherproofing, however it may require planning permission.
Cavity wall insulation is a very specific, highly specialised type of insulation that involves injecting the material into your wall and can only be used in homes that have cavity wall construction.
Once the insulation has been fully installed, the holes are filled in for a perfect finish.
Remember, any insulation changes to your home must be assessed by a professional to determine if your home is suitable and make recommendations on which type of insulation would benefit you the most.
Conclusion
Insulation is a great way to reduce your energy bills, along with reducing your carbon footprint.
There are many different options available including various types of insulation including walls, lofts, and even under floor.
Whichever option you are considering, it is important to speak to a trusted, professional, insulation company, and get your home assessed before going ahead with any major home changes.
Following Green Home Systems’ expert teams tips will make the insulation process as simple as possible and funding schemes such as ECO4 with the cost.